V. Sattui

From Rutherford Hill travel north on the Silverado Trail, cross over to Hwy 29 on Zinfandel Lane, and then jog north on Hwy 29 (approaching the town of Saint Helena) to visit the V. Sattui winery found on your right (111 White Lane Street, Saint Helena, CA 94574). Sattui winemaking history dates back to 1885 when Vittorio Sattui founded the winery in the North Beach district of San Francisco. Great-grandson Daryl Sattui revived the family tradition in 1973 by moving the winery to Saint Helena. Currently 15 vintage-dated wines are produced, all of which are sold exclusively at the winery or by mail order. With a lovely garden setting, this is an attractive winery with an excellent gift shop where you can also purchase picnic supplies, selecting from over 200 different kinds of cheeses, homemade salads, pâtés, breads, and desserts. There is also a wonderful picnic spot, with tables set on the lawn beneath shady trees. You are welcome to look into the cellars or, when wine is being bottled, watch the bottling line in action—there are no formal tours. Tasting is complimentary. Open 9 am to 6 pm in summer, 9 am to 5 pm in winter. 707-963-7774, www.vsattui.com.